The current political and economic situation in the UK means that understanding how the local context shapes health inequalities is of increasing importance and there is a clear need to expand our empirical and theoretical knowledge of the complex causal factors involved. This mixed method, intensive interdisciplinary case study will methodologically reshape and localise the study of health inequalities. Drawing on insights from geography, social epidemiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, history and social policy, it will engage with, advance and influence several key debates around the aetiology, development and localised experience of health inequalities in an age of austerity.

This five year, £1 million project was funded by The Leverhulme Trust under their highly prestigious 2012 Research Leadership Awards competition. The project supports an interdisciplinary research team in the Institute of Health and Society led by Professor Clare Bambra.